Clint Trickett saw action in 17 games the last two seasons at Florida State as a backup to EJ Manuel. / Melina Vastola, USA TODAY Sports

by Ira Schoffel, USA TODAY Sports

by Ira Schoffel, USA TODAY Sports

TALLAHASSEE - Clint Trickett wanted to keep an open mind when he announced two weeks ago that he was leaving Florida State and transferring to another Division-I school.

He had a soft spot in his heart for West Virginia, where his family lived for several years while his father, Rick, was an assistant coach with the Mountaineers, but he was determined to find the right school with the right football program and the right opportunity for playing time.

As it turns out, Trickett said Wednesday, they were one in the same. The next time he suits up to play quarterback, it will be for West Virginia University.

"It was a business process," said Trickett, who will be entering his junior year. "My heart wasn't set on West Virginia - well, maybe it was - but I wasn't sure until I visited these other places. It turned out that the best place was West Virginia, which just happened to be home."

Trickett, who came to Tallahassee with his father in 2007 and played high school ball at North Florida Christian in Tallahassee, entered spring as the first-string quarterback in what head coach Jimbo Fisher said would be an open competition. The battle was believed to be close all spring, but redshirt freshman Jameis Winston shined in the spring game, leading fans and media to speculate that Winston had won the starting job.

Fisher said repeatedly that wasn't the case, but Trickett announced four days later he was leaving the school.

When he made the decision, Trickett said, he figured schools such as West Virginia and South Florida might be interested. But he ended up being recruited by Michigan, Auburn and others as well.

Trickett made his choice after visiting three schools: WVU, Auburn and South Florida.

"The best fit was West Virginia," he said.

Not only does the quarterback still have family and friends in the area, but he is extremely excited about the opportunity to play in the high-powered offense directed by Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen.

Holgorsen's offenses have put up record numbers virtually everywhere he has been, including Texas Tech, Houston and Oklahoma State. The Mountaineers ranked No. 9 nationally last season in scoring offense, No. 10 in total offense and No. 10 in passing offense.

"It's the best offense in the country," Trickett said. "It speaks for itself."

And with Geno Smith moving on to the NFL, the Mountaineers are in the middle of their own quarterback competition. Junior Paul Millard and freshman Ford Childress were the leaders this spring, but Trickett is expected to be a factor.

During the 2011 and 2012 seasons at Florida State, he played in 17 games, made two starts and completed 66 of 106 passes for 947 yards. He threw for seven touchdowns with four interceptions.

Because he is graduating with a bachelor's degree from FSU, Trickett will be eligible to play for the Mountaineers immediately.

"I'll walk (at graduation) this Saturday and then start workouts up there Monday," he said. "No need to waste time."